Mortise connector



July 21, 1942. D. F. WEAVER MOR TISE CONNECTOR Filed 001;. 26, 1940gmwwhom n ecu/e r Patented July 21, 1942 I STA S PATENT FFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a mortise connector, and it is an object ofthe invention to provide a device of this kind which serves to securelyhold together and increase the strength of all types of wood connectionsin which a blind mortise or dado joint is used and wherein the device isof a character to enable the same to be substantially hidden orinvisible when applied.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kindwhich is particularly intended for use in the manufacture of screendoors which are generally subjected to rough usage and wherein thedevice or connector is so applied and possessing such strength as toprevent the door from coming apart as a result of usage or weatherwhereby the life of the door is materially increased.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kindprovided with means whereby the same may have a dovetail hold in thewood into which it is driven so that the greater the strain or tensionexerted the tighter the connection.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved mortiseconnector whereby certain important advantages are attained and thedevice rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenientand advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed. v

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing,wherein:

Figure l is a view partly in section and partly in elevationillustrating a connector constructed in accordance with an embodiment ofmy invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fiure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 ofFigure l, and

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of the connector unapplied.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, S

denotes either a hanging or looking stile of a door and T a top rail.The stile S is provided with a conventional blind mortise l in which isreceived the tenon 2 of the rail T. Coacting with a wall of the mortisel and an edge of the rail T is a connector C which is constructed andarranged to provide means whereby the stile S and rail T are effectivelymaintained in assembled relation to withstand rough usage and weatherwithout coming apart whereby the life of the door is materiallyprolonged.

The connector C, as herein disclosed, comprises an elongatedsubstantially rigid metal strip 3 of a width approximating a side edgeface of the tenon 2 and of a length greater than the depth of themortise I so that when the connector C is in applied or workingposition, anend portion thereof will be exteriorly of the mortise l andoverlie an edge face of the rail T.

The connector C is inserted within the mortise l to overlie the bottomwall thereof. The inserted extremity of the strip 3 of the connector 0is provided along its longitudinal margins with the substantiallyperpendicularly related flanges 4. These flanges converge forwardly onetoward the other but do not have their outer ends in contact while thelower or free marginal portions of these flanges 4 are beveled fromwithin, as at a, to provide sharp or penetrating edges. After theconnector Chas been engaged within the mortise l the flanges 4 throughthe medium of a suitable tool or implement are forced into the stile Sthrough the bottom face of the mortise I and the outwardly convergingflanges 4 take a dovetail hold in the stile S so that the strain whenexerted in tension causes the flanges 4 to take a more tight hold.

After the connector C has been suitably placed within the mortise l thetenon 2 of the rail T is placed within the mortise and the outer endportion of the strip 3 is tightly held against the adjacent edge face ofthe rail T by a screw 5 inserted through the opening 6 provided in theouter end portion of the strip 3 and threading into the rail T. As theouter end portion of the strip 3 is tightly forced against the adjacentedge of the rail T, the lip I at the outer end of the strip 3 is forcedinto the rail T thus assuring a more secure connection or joint. Thislip 1 extends transversely across the strip 3 and is disposed in adirection opposite to the direction of the flanges 4. The outer marginof the lip 1 is suitably beveled to provide a sharp or knife edge b tofacilitate the penetration of the lip 1 into the rail T.

While I have herein particularly described my improved connectors asbeing used with a screen door, it is to be understood that they may beused in connection with all types of wood connections in which a blindmortise or dado joint is used.

It is also believed to be obvious that with the use of either of myimproved connectors, the same constitutes a substantially invisible lockand if desired can be rendered entirely invisible or secret by mortisingthe device, as for example, in the edge face of the tenon and pluggingover the portion of the device exteriorly of the mortise.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that amortise connector constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and used, and it will also beobvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modificationwithout departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for thisreason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precisearrangement and formation of the several parts therein shown in carryingout my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A mortise connector comprising an elongated strip of a length inexcess of the depth of the mortise in which it is to be inserted toallow an end portion of the strip to be disposed exteriorly of themortise when the connector is applied, penetrating means carried by theinserted extremity of the strip to be forced within a wall of themortise, the opposite end portion of the strip being provided with meansto allow the same to be anchored to the member having a tenon to fitwithin the mortise, the penetrating means at the inserted extremity ofthe strip comprising oppositely spaced flanges extending along the sidemargins of the strip.

2. A mortise connector comprising an elongated strip of a length inexcess of the depth of the mortise in which it is to be inserted toallow an end portion of the strip to be disposed exteriorly of themortise when the connector is applied, penetrating means carried by theinserted extremity of the strip to be forced within a wall of themortise, the opposite end portion of the strip being provided with meansto allow the same to be anchored to the member having a tenon to fltwithin the mortise, the penetrating means at the inserted extremity ofthe strip comprising oppositely spaced flanges extending along the sidemargins of the strip, said flanges being in outward convergence toprovide a dovetail penetration.

3. A metallic mortise and tenon connector comprising an elongated stripof a length in excess ocf the depth of the mortise in which it is to beinserted to allow an end portion of the strip to be disposed exteriorlyof the mortise when the [connector is applied, penetrating means carriedby the inserted extremity of the strip to be forced within a wall of themortise, the opposite end portion of the strip being provided with meansto allow the same to be anchored to the member having a tenon to fitwithin the mortise, the penetrating means at the inserted extremity ofthe strip comprising oppositely spaced flanges bent at right angles toand extending along the side margins of the strip, said flanges beingbent upon outwardly converging lines from the extremity of the strip toa point substantially onethird the length of the strip.

DAVID F. WEAVER.

